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Panniers - metalmule v pelican v zega v a.n.other? Panniers - metalmule v pelican v zega v a.n.other?
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Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
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  #46  
Old 19 Feb 2008
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Originally Posted by GeoffL View Post
The KTM alu boxes (KTM KOFFERTRÄGERSYSTEM) look good in the catalogue, but no-one on here seems to mention them - has anyone tried them, and if so, are they any good?
Geoff,
This is the Touratech system. When I had my 640 a few years back you could not buy these from TT, had to buy them via KTM UK.

The boxes are 1.5 mm and while are well designed, locks and lid seals are good. the mounting arrangement is poor, takes up to much room inside the box and after the paint wears off the rack there is no way to take up the extra clearence. Both my boxes leaked around the bases.
The rack broke a couple of times, and had to be welded, not crash damage just bad roads.
Overall 6 / 10 form over function

Steve
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  #47  
Old 19 Feb 2008
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Originally Posted by edteamslr View Post

ANSWER: Yes, I would buy METAL MULE again. The panniers are brilliant. The attachment system is EXCELLENT. The rack varies but just looking at it tells me how I can strengthen mine for my next trip - I'll keep it.
Take a look at the Touratech Rack it has an extra brace at the rear which mounts under the mudguard on the XRV. Instructions on this page show it best.
Touratech UK Webshop

I will fit TT rack and depending how this thread goes MM panniers. Metal Mule are releasing a Version 2 in March with small improvements to mounts.
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  #48  
Old 19 Feb 2008
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I'd recommend Andy Strapz soft panniers. Worked well for me, no welding required after a tumble and I think a lot of the people I travelled with who had hard luggage would go with them next time.
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  #49  
Old 27 Feb 2008
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Originally Posted by DarrenM View Post
Take a look at the Touratech Rack it has an extra brace at the rear which mounts under the mudguard on the XRV. Instructions on this page show it best.
Touratech UK Webshop
That's slightly better than the MM one, but will probably fail in the same way, it's the same basic shape...
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  #50  
Old 5 Mar 2008
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Just a question:

Has anyone just fitted their alupanniers with relatively thin stainless steel nuts and bolts?

The idea is that you dont take the panniers off (have an insert bag or something) and if you crash the nuts will break off and afterwards you just put in some new ones?

This would minimize damage to pannier, rack and you.

Downside is that you can't easily take the panniers off.

What do ppl think?
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  #51  
Old 5 Mar 2008
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It all depends on how many bolts you intend on using and where you place them.

A smaller bolt will obviously break before a fat one but i guess 4 smaller bolts half the size of 2 larger bolts will spread the load more evenly. In my experience, the fixings tend to rip out of the softer aluminium box rather than the steel frame so a smaller but will cause less damage.

If you never intend of removing your boxes then 16 well placed smaller bolts would be stronger 4 fat ones.

Just take into consideration that you may HAVE to remove your boxes at times to squeeze through pay booths, car parks and hotel front doors

Quote:
Originally Posted by peter-denmark View Post
Just a question:

Has anyone just fitted their alupanniers with relatively thin stainless steel nuts and bolts?

The idea is that you dont take the panniers off (have an insert bag or something) and if you crash the nuts will break off and afterwards you just put in some new ones?

This would minimize damage to pannier, rack and you.

Downside is that you can't easily take the panniers off.

What do ppl think?
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  #52  
Old 30 Mar 2008
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Hepco&Becker Junior set
Hey,

I followed this thread quite a wile because I want to buy new panniers. My main question of choice is, like Toneski (Tony): plastic vs alu. Most contributions to this thread are about different manufacturers of alu panniers but not about alu vs plastic. Well, I had experiences with the "plastic" panniers of Hepco&Becker, the "junior" set. I used them on my BMW F650 in 2001 for 8 month traveling in the Middle East and in 2004/2005 for 18 month traveling around the world. I was very satisfied with these panniers. They are light in weight, have a side lid in stead of a top lid, are easy to mount and strong. Their best feature however is the slightly curfed lid. Because of this, the pannier doesn't dig in the surface in case of accident. It is the digging in that causes most of the damage. I just have one point of critic. Once I dropped the bike and a sharp stone just hit the edge of the lid of one of the panniers. Just on that spot the pannier leaked a little bit and I cann't repair this damage. With this experience I don't know why I should opt for alu panniers, keeping in mind all the stories about deformed or torn apart alu panniers in this thread. Anyone who has an argument alu panniers above "plastic" panniers? Like to hear it!

Good travels, Mart
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